OK, so today I noticed that when my AC turns on it's making a screeching sound. Is this normal? It goes away when I rev my engine up. Another Question I've been meaning to ask is. my shifter is really really hard from first to second. It's almost like it gets stuck. Is this normal for 03 wrx? If so how can I fix it?
AC might be a belt/pulley/tensioner problem. AFAIK 1st and 2nd gear get the most wear and tear out of all the gears, like in stop and go city traffic. Possibly the synchros are worn out. However I have heard many stories of people with gear problems who fix them by simply changing their transmission fluid
everything is fixable , its the money that matters. Might want to try changing the transmission fluid as subinoobi said.
In addition to tightening the A/C belt, I would use an air compressor and blow into the compressor clutch with an air nozzle. Mine used to accumulate a bunch of dust in there and make noise.
No offense intended, but how is this even remotely in the right thread? Definitely try fluid first. Far better that than new synchros.
^+1 I really didn't mean to scare you about the synchros, definitely try replacing the fluid first. Maybe even with non-subaru fluid like pennzoil's synchro-mesh, some people even make a concoction of two different fluids, search for "uncle-scotty's cocktail".
Just flush your fluid. It's probably the cause. I flush mine every 10K or less. Either take an empty 1 gallon milk jug to the dealer for the good stuff, of try the cocktail. Do it yourself or have Will at SOG do it. Anywhere else and it'll get F'ed up. I'm going to try the cocktail if I don't sell my car before 70K. Also, get the Kartboy shift link bushings! They're excellent for the '03 5 speed!!!
I agree with the tensioner diagnosis for the squeeling, but the 1st to 2nd could be easier than changing your fluid. There is a washer with a large tab that is attached to your front shifter bushing. This is under your car and connects the shift linkage to a solid support. The washer may be rubbing up against something, specifically that tab could be hitting the shift linkage. Just a guess, but you just have to jack the car up and look at the middle top part of your tranny where the shifter comes down through the center console area. Thats a hell of a lot cheapier than spending $40+ on tranny fluid or more for someone servicing the car.
well, just came back from SoG and they couldn't find anything wrong with the shifter/clutch. I might try driving it for few more weeks and consider changing the transmission fluid later... AC however was fixed All for whopping $0 dollars. !!
Usually there are two issues with this: 1. Belt adjustment is a tad too loose...so tighten it some. 2. The belt is worn out, so it is unable to grip the pulleys. Replace belt.